Cardiovascular applications of digital subtraction angiography.

Continuing interest exists in the cardiovascular applications for digital subtraction angiography. The principal intravenous application is in the evaluation of left ventricular function and the quantitative parameters presently available for digital methods. Intraarterial applications include the ability to screen multiple vascular systems, including the coronary circulation and the carotid or peripheral vascular structures. Quantitative functions available are stenosis sizing, phase and amplitude analysis, and, finally, "road mapping" during cardiovascular interventional procedures. Major expansion of storage capacity, cine pulsing, and immediate access of online data represent a few of the major limitations of the procedure.